Boateng - It doesn’t get any easier from here on

His is an efficient workhorse in the Black Stars, midfield and quietly goes about his business on and off the field in a focused manner. It was pretty much the same scenario at Ngouni Complex in Franceville that Cafonline.com caught up with Owusu Derek Boateng to talk about Ghana’s upcoming quarter final encounter with Tunisia on Sunday 5^th February

Cafonline.com: How hard is turning to be to play with this tag of co-favourites?

Boateng: We are doing our best and the whole team wants to do well. We know the expectations of the nation is huge but we too want to win the title so we are simply taking the whole mission one game at a time and remains focused on the goal we want to achieve.

Cafonline.com: The general perception so far is that Ghana is still to perform well what do you say to that?

Boateng: There will always be something said that is the nature of the sport for me every game is a new game, we are happy to be called co-favorites but we don’t let that get to our heads and we are working hard in training. After each game we look at our performances and work on our mistakes and we are always looking at improving on our previous performance. By the grace of God l think we are doing well to be where we are now.

Cafonline.com: What sort of game and challenge are you expecting from Tunisia?

Boateng: Tunisia is a very good side and plays very good football, moving into spaces and possess swift attacking players. They are a disciplined side and we know we have a tough match awaiting us but from here on its knock-out phase and there are no easyr games from here on, in fact  this has been a competitive tournament with no easy games. It is going to be a difficult game against Tunisia. We respect Tunisia a lot but honestly we will be ready for them come Sunday.

Cafonline.com: So what is the mood like in camp ahead of this crucial match?

Boateng:  Aaah we are very motivated, ready and as l said training hard for the game. It has been a happy camp and it continues to be so

Cafonline.com: Have teams been hard against Ghana or Ghana is struggling?

Boateng:  Every game we have played has been tough, maybe yes because they are playing us they have been at their best but at this tournament every team here is good and has come ready for the finals. I think we must also give credit for the way the teams have played, You Guinea have been playing good football but they are going home, so we have not had any easy games and the competition has been tough but l am glad to say we are still here competing.

Cafonline.com: Whatwill it take to beat Tunisia on Sunday?

Boateng:  For me the only thing is that the team that will work harder will win the game. They have a good side with good players and so do we but l know that everything you do you need luck so l am hoping we will have a day when it will go for us and we will do our best